ABSTRACT
Sexuality plays an important role in mating relationships. In the previous chapter, for instance, we saw how one particular sexual response-sexual desire-is associated with feelings of passionate love. This chapter focuses on relational sex, defi ned as sexual responses that occur within the context of ongoing romantic relationships. Relational sex is very different from other forms of
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sexuality such as individual sexual responses and casual sexual encounters between strangers or uncommitted partners. For example, although all three types of sexuality may stem from similar motives (including a need for physical release or the urge to satiate sexual desires), involve similar processes (such as physiological and genital arousal), and produce similar outcomes (including physical pleasure), relational sex has interpersonal meanings and consequences that other varieties of sexual experience do not. Unlike casual sex or solo sexual activities, sexual activities between relational partners may stem from feelings of love and intimacy; may serve to demonstrate or reaffi rm the partners’ commitment to each other; or may be used by the partners to restore equity or to shift the balance of power in their relationship (Cain et al., 2003; also see Sprecher & Regan, 2000). Sexual events that occur between partners in a romantic relationship thus have important nonsexual consequences for that relationship.
